Steam-trap



(No Model.) -2 sheets-sheen 1; J P 0 N DE R.

Steam Trap. No. 237,698. y Patented Feb. 15,188.1.

(No Modem.

Ne. 237,698. e

i 2 sheets-sheet 2. J. PGN'DE R; Steam Trap.

Patented Feb. 15,1881.

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JOHN PONDEB, OF NEW OBLEAN S, LOUISIANA.

STEAM-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 237,698, dated February 15, 1881.

Application filed October 11 1880.

To all whom t may concern Beit known that I, JOHN PONDER, a resident of the city of New Orleans, parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented a certa-in new and useful Improvement in Steam-Traps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and correct description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification.

Figure l, Sheet 1, is a perspective view of my apparatus 5 Fig. 2, Sheet 2, an elevation thereof; Fig. 3, a top view of the tilting portion, and Fig. 4 a cross-section of the latter figure.

A Al are stands, the tops of which are f1tted with screw-standards B B', each provided with anut for adjusting and holding the same at any desired height. These standards form supports for a stationary tank, O, and thereby relieve its pipe-connections of the weight of same. The bottoms of the stands are secured by any desired means, and rigidly held at the proper distance apart by studs d, the threaded portions of which are furnished with checknuts, as shown at c c.

To the bases of the stands is secured a horizontal pipe, F, the latter furnished between the said stands with a valve, g, the stem of which projects upward and is connected with an operating-lever, H, the latter having one of its ends pivoted in a standard, I, and its other end provided with a series of perforations, so as to be adjustably connected by a link, K, with the main lever or rocking portion of the apparatus. This portion is provided with hollow trunnions, which are connected, by means of suitable couplings L L', with pipes m m', that are securely held in the stands by means of check-nuts, as shown at n n'. the T-piece of a vertical pipe, O, the lowest end of which is connected, by means of an elbow, with the pipe F, and the upper end, by any suitable means,with the tank C. The pipe m is provided with a vertical branch, P, and with a check-valve, as shown at q. The vertical branch passes up through the bottom of the tank C, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, to a point near the top thereof.

The trunnions B. B are each furnished, at right angles thereto, with pipes S S. These The outer end of the pipe m is fitted to l (No model.)

pipes project forward beyond the stationary tank, from which point they are turned upward and connected one at the bottom and the other at the top of a spherical or other shaped vessel, T. These pipes are each furnished with stop-cocks, as shown at r r. From the trunnions a lever, U, extends rearward. This lever has fitted thereupon a sliding weight, u', having a set-screw tapped therein for the purpose of holding it in any desired position on the lever.

Above the lever and horizontal portion of the pipes is secured a guarded railway, V, over which operates a solid metallic ball, o', the object of which will hereinafter be fully described. j

The cover of the stationary tank C is provided at its highest point with a stop-cook, u", and the tank, at one side and near the top thereof, with an inlet-pipe, fr, having a checkvalve, on', and strainer :12

In order to shorten the travel of the ball over its railway, the latter is provided with a series of perforations, in which a pin may be fitted for the said purpose.

The movement of the lever U is regulated by means of set-screws l 2, which are fitted in a frame, 3, the lowestends of which are pivoted to one of the studs, as shown at 4c and 5.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The condensed steam from radiator or other apparatus passes through the strainer x, check-valve av', and pipe x into the tank C. From thence it passes down through the pipe P, trunnion R', and pipe S into the bottom of the vessel T. The accumulation of water in the latter causes lthe tilting of the operating portion of the apparatus, said movement being accelerated by the ball o as it travels over its railway toward the lowest portion thereof. By reason of the connecting-link K and lever H this movement opens the valve g, thus permitting the steam to flow through the pipes F and O, and also through the trunnion m and pipe S, to the upper part of the vessel T. Thus the valve m' is closed and the pressure in the tank O and vessel T equalized. The weight of water and pressure thereupon causes the opening of the valve q, through which the water is discharged directly into the boiler.

For the purpose of ascertaining the height IOO of waterin the tank G a gage may be fitted to the side thereof.

The lightening of the vessel T by the discharge of Water therefrom causes the same to resume its normal position, and in doing so to close the steam-valve gand discharge-valve q, and to again open the valve a.

If so desired, this apparatus may be connected with an elevated reservoir, and thus used as an automatic boiler-feeder. In this ease, however, the steampipe F should be connected at the mid-water line of the boiler.

When in its normal position a portion of the vessel T should be above that of the tank C, and below the same when Weighted down by Water.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with the trunnions R R', pipes S S', vessel T, and Weighted lever, a

railway, V, over which operates a metal ball, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a steam-trap, the tank C, provided with pipes a', O, and P, the pipe O connected with pipe F, having avalve,g, for the purpose specified.

8. In a steam-trap, tank G, pipes fr, O, P, and F, and the valves g, and q, arranged as described, and for the purpose set forth.

4. In combination with tank G and its supply and discharge pipes and valves, the lever U, pipes S S', vessel T, and trunnions R R', all arranged to operate as described, and for the purpose specified.

In testimony Wh ereof I have hereunto signed my name.

J. roNDER.

In presence of- J. C. HUBBELL. P. J. FINNEY. 

